Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology (한국환경생태학회지)

Korean Society of Environment and Ecology (한국환경생태학회)
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Change in the Fish Fauna and Fish Community Characteristics in the Upper Reaches of the Seomgang (River), Korea

섬강 상류의 어류상 변화 및 어류군집 특성

  • Hyeong-Su Kim (Aquaculture Research Division, National Institute of Fisheries Science) ;
  • Mee-Sook Han (Kosoo Biology institute) ;
  • Myeong-Hun Ko (Kosoo Biology institute)
  • 김형수 (국립수산과학원 양식연구과) ;
  • 한미숙 (고수생태연구소) ;
  • 고명훈 (고수생태연구소)
  • Received : 2024.02.05
  • Accepted : 2024.04.17
  • Published : 2024.06.30
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Abstract

The survey conducted from 2018 to 2020 aimed to investigate the changes in fish fauna and community characteristics in the upper reaches of the Seomgang River, Korea. During the survey period, 35 sites were selected, resulting in the collection of 7,817 fish belonging to 12 families and 40 species. The dominant species was Zacco koreanus, with a relative abundance of 34.5%, followed by Z. platypus at 28.7%. Other significant species included Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (10.2%), Pungtungia herzi (5.3%), and Squalidus gracilis majimae (4.3%). Notably, four protected species - Acheilognathus signifer, Gobiobotia brevibarba, and Cottus koreanus, designated as class II endangered wildlife by the Ministry of Environment- were identified. These species predominantly inhabit the middle and lower reaches, except for Gobiobotia brevibarba, which is found in the upper reaches. Nineteen species, accounting for a 47.5% endemism rate, were endemic to Korea. The study also noted the presence of one climate-sensitive species, Cottus koreanus, and two exotic species, Carassius cuvieri and Micropterus salmoides. Community analysis indicated a trend of decreasing dominance and increasing diversity and richness from upstream to downstream, with a distinct division into uppermost reaches, upper reaches, middle and lower reaches, and lakes. The construction of the Hwaseong Dam has had a significant direct and indirect impact on the fish community. The habitat and abundance of endangered species such as R. pseudosericeus, A. signifer, and G. brevibarba decreased dramatically immediately after the dam's construction, transforming the submerged area from lotic to lentic environments. Approximately 20 years later, the habitats have stabilized, leading to an increase in the fish population and a recovery of the previously diminished endangered species. The river health (FAI) was also evaluated, with 27 sites rated as very good (A), seven as good (B), and one as fair (C). However, endangered species such as A. signifer continue to face threats from dam and river construction, while C. Koreanus has experienced a severe population decline due to river works. Additionally, the presence of the ecosystem-disrupting species M. salmoides in Hwaseong Lake raises concerns. To ensure a stable habitat for fish in the upper reaches of the Seomgang River, it is crucial to avoid indiscriminate river construction, urgently implement restoration policies for endangered species such as A. signifer, and develop management strategies to control the spread of invasive species such as bass.

섬강 상류의 어류상 변화와 어류군집 특성을 밝히기 위해 2018년부터 2020년까지 조사를 실시하였다. 조사기간 동안 35개 지점을 조사한 결과, 채집된 어류는 12과 40종 7,817개체였다. 출현종 중 우점종은 참갈겨니(Zacco koreanus, 34.5%), 아우점종은 피라미(Z. platypus, 28.7%)였고, 그 다음으로 버들치(Rhynchocypris oxycephalus, 10.2%), 돌고기(Pungtungia herzi, 5.3%), 긴몰개(Squalidus gracilis majimae, 4.3%), 참종개(Iksookimia koreensis, 2.1%), 참마자(Hemibarbus longirostris, 1.6%), 모래무지(Pseudogobio esocinus, 1.5%) 돌마자(Microphysogobio yaluensis, 1.4%), 한강납줄개(Rhodeus pseudosericeus, 1.4%) 등의 순으로 우세하였다. 법정보호종은 환경부지정 멸종위기 야생생물 II급인 한강납줄개와 묵납자루(Acheilognathus signifer), 돌상어(Gobiobotia brevibarba), 둑중개(Cottus koreanus) 4종이 출현하였는데, 주로 한강납줄개와 묵납자루, 돌상어는 중·하류에, 둑중개는 최상류에 서식하고 있었다. 출현종 중 한국고유종은 19종(고유화율 47.5%)이었고, 기후변화민감종(냉수성 어종)은 둑중개 1종, 외래어종은 떡붕어(Carassius cuvieri)와 배스(Micropterus salmoides) 2종이 확인되었다. 군집분석 결과, 대체로 상류에서 하류로 갈수록 우점도는 낮아지고 다양도와 풍부도는 높아지는 경향을 보였으며, 군집구조는 크게 최상류, 상류, 중하류, 호수로 구분되었다. 섬강 상류는 횡성댐이 건설되면서 직·간접적으로 어류군집에 큰 영향을 미쳤는데, 댐 건설 직후 멸종위기종 묵납자루와 한강납줄개, 돌상어 서식지 및 개체수가 급격히 감소하고 수몰지역은 유수성 어류에서 정수성 어류로 변화되었다. 약 20년이 지난 현재, 서식지가 안정화 되면서 서식하는 어류가 증가하고 급격히 감소하였던 멸종위기종 한강납줄개와 돌상어의 서식지 및 개체수가 증가하였다. 또한 하천건강성(FAI)은 27개 지점은 매우 좋음(A), 7개 지점은 좋음(B), 1개 지점은 보통(C)으로 평가되어 비교적 우수하였다. 하지만 멸종위기종 묵납자루는 댐 공사 및 하천공사로 지역절멸에 처해 있고, 둑중개는 하천공사로 개체수가 심각하게 감소하였으며, 횡성호에서 생태계교란 생물 배스의 서식이 확인되어 우려되었다. 따라서 섬강 상류의 안정적인 어류 서식을 위해서는 무분별한 하천공사를 지양하고, 멸종위기종 묵납자루는 시급히 복원정책이 필요하며, 생태계교란 생물 배스의 확산을 방지할 수 있는 관리방안이 요구되었다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

이 논문은 2018년도 국립생태원 제5차 전국자연환경조사의 연구비 일부를 지원(NIE-A-2024-01) 및 국립수산과학원 수산시험연구사업 활수산물 수출지역 확대를 위한 활컨테이너 수송기간 연장기술 개발(R2024050)에서 지원하는 연구비의 지원으로 수행된 연구임

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